Travellers to Tiruchi can henceforth book cabs through their smart phones as the Southern Railway on Saturday launched an app-based cab service at the Tiruchi Railway Junction.
Those who cannot access the app-based service can book the cabs, to be operated by private cab operator Ola, on-the-spot at the designated booking area provided at the Railway Junction. The booking area would have space to accommodate 20 cabs of the operator, Railway officials said.
The facility was launched by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, through video conference, on Saturday.
Even as the Railways launched the facility, a group of autorickshaw drivers operating out of the Railway Junction, reeling under stiff competition from autorickshaws run under the Ola network, staged a demonstration criticising the Railways for displacing them in favour of a private operator.
The drivers said that they have been asked to park their vehicles away from the usual area in front of the two-wheeler parking lot.
“Many of us have been operating out of the junction for 20 to 30 years and the move to allow a private operator will affect our business,” they contended. They represented their case to the Divisional Railway Manager P. U. K. Reddy. Mr.Reddy told them that the move was intended for the benefit of passengers and they would act according to the rules.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Reddy said that the new facility would help passengers have hassle-free trips without having to haggle on fares.
The Railway Minister inaugurated premium car parking area at the second entry of the Railway Junction on the Kallukuzhi side with space for 50 cars, a premium two wheeler parking lot with space for 5,000 vehicles and a car parking area at the main entry with space for 58 cars.
Besides, he inaugurated parking spaces at the Tiruchi Fort, Mannargudi and Papanasam railway stations in Tiruchi Division.
He dedicated to the nation the double line between Manapparai and Kalpattichathram, a 23-km stretch falling under Madurai Division, taken up under the Villupuram-Dindigul track doubling project.
